Lesson 24

 

We opened today's block with the remaining few poems we missed yesterday.

We talked about the referendum held in Alberta yesterday, and about the upcoming provincial election.

Hopefully students come home with questions about civic engagement, and want to talk with their families about the upcoming election.

You can find early voting locations here, and the list of candidates here.  

Students will engage in the BC Student Vote tomorrow, so it would be great if they did some thinking and research this evening :) 

 Homework: Students read chapters 7 & 8 today - they were asked to find at least 4 quotations and record them with page numbers.

Chapter 7/8 Individuality Quotes

3 or more quotes showing the community's attempt to eliminate individuality:

1

1 or more quote(s) showing that Jonas feels different from other members of his community:

Lesson 23

 

Today was Bio Poem Celebration Day! 

Students did a wonderful job writing about themselves, and lots of thought and creativity went into the work. 

Each student shared their work with the class, and we offered snaps in appreciation of their efforts. Thanks to all!

Tomorrow we will continue with personal reading, and reading The Giver but there is no homework today. 

Lesson 22

Today was a big day!

We talked about this short reel of Dr. Jane Goodall, specifically with a mind toward Monday's Bio Poem celebration.

Students were at varying stages in their chapter 1-6 work, but everyone handed in that work today. 

Monday - students will hand in finished Bio Poem Projects - Due at the beginning of the block. 

Lesson 21

 

Students listened to Chapter 6, then spent the remainder of the block managing their time as best worked for them. 

While students will have a good deal of tomorrow's class to continue work on the 5/6 package, they will be handing in all package work (minus the final, Chapter 7 page) by the end of the block.  

Anyone who feels they will need more writing time than the 35-40 minutes in tomorrow's class should be in the Writing Lab at lunch today, or in tutorial tomorrow.

A reminder that Bio Poems can be worked on at home, and may require some assistance with finding old photos/mementos, printing work materials, and/or supplying art materials. These creative pieces are due at the start of Monday's block. 

 

Lesson 20

 

 We opened the class with a check in. 

Students worked to complete any missed work from the last two sections of text (to the end of Chapter 4).

Those who did not complete this work are encouraged to come to tutorial - their work was also available in the Writing Lab for them today.

We talked about their Bio Poem assignment - tomorrow we will look at examples, and there will be work time for these on Thursday as well. 

Lesson 19

 

Students read their personal novels to start the class.

We talked about the concept of multiple intelligences, before students set about charting their own strengths/aptitudes via a lengthy quiz.

Students shared their specific aptitudes with classmates, then we moved forward and read Chapter 4.

All students should ensure that they have read to the end of Chapter 4, and are up-to-date in the booklets BEFORE Tuesday's class. All are welcome to Tuesday's tutorial. 

 Have a wonderful long weekend! 

Lesson 18

 

While we didn't move as quickly today as I had hoped, we got a LOT of thinking in. 

Students discussed the common ground, or "sameness" that exists between societies.

We discussed ways in which we celebrate the differences between peoples.

Humanities B talked about the concept of multiple intelligences, before students set about charting their own strengths/aptitudes via a lengthy quiz.

 

Lesson 17

 

 Today's block was a bit jumbled for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the Blk 7 lockdown drill. 

We started with a discussion of the levels of proficiency in regard to the "Words of Wisdom" section in The Giver packages - Students has a look at what they had written so far, and set about improving it as needed. 

We talked about childhood stuffies/ "comfort objects" and about what makes us unique.

Both classes did a 15 minute in-class write, and both will have more time to finish those up at the opening of tomorrow's class.

Humanities A also listened to Chapter 3, but Humanities B will be doing so tomorrow. 

Students are working hard - if they want to come into tutorial to continue work, they are welcome to do that too :)

Lesson 16

 

We opened the class with a quick presentation from the Handsworth Writing Lab, and from Student Council. 

  - Students are invited to attend the Writing Lab for help with any written work at all on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday at lunch.

  - Students are invited to submit an application to be Grade 8 student reps on Student Council for this year - the vote will be held at later in October.  

Students had 5-10 minutes to continue their work on the first chapter of the text.

We listened to Chapter Two, and students spent the remainder of the class finishing the first package of work. Students worked incredibly well!

Those who missed today's class should pop into tutorial tomorrow to continue the work - the door is open at 8:30.

Lesson 15

 

We opened the block with a quick chat about the Writing Lab (more to come tomorrow) and a short silent reading session. 

We did a check in - students are starting to feel that fall fatigue set in, but they have all thought about the things they like to do when they have the tiniest bit of free time :) 

We continued work with The Giver packages - Students have read the first chapter, and have taken notes. 

If you missed today's class, or one last week, you need to attend tutorial at 8:30 tomorrow to get on track before class.

Lesson 14

 Students started today's class with reading their personal novels (and several were given permission to add to their homework - just this one time).

Students shared their personal values in groups, then wrote a couple of "Rules to live by" for themselves.

We discussed where these rules come from, and how they connect to our own ideas of community, then students rounded out the class with an in-class write.

Homework: 

 - Some students do not have a dedicated Humanities binder. This is leading to papers being lost, or homework being put in the "wrong day" binder. We have Humanities every day, so it needs its own binder.

- Find a way to protect your class novels!

- Have a great weekend! 

 

Lesson 13

 

 This post is for yesterday's class (Please note that homework was written on the board, students were asked to write it in their agendas, and all students who miss class are expected to attend tutorial the following morning if they do not know what transpired during the class).

Students finished the last two presentations of their perfect communities.

We talked about how important it is to imagine ideals - and watched this short reel about the idea: Trevor Noah 

Students signed out class novels.

We brainstormed, in whatever form, personal valued/rules that guide how we behave and how we want to see the world.

HOMEWORK:  

Find a way to protect The Giver in your bag - perhaps a ziploc?

Finish your personal values/rules to live by list!